Civil War: Company H, 49th Illinois Infantry

Friedrich P. Dustman (also: Duschmann) was born in Bünde, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Prussia (Germany), the son of Anna Catherine Elisabeth Dustman (Oct. 5, 1820) and Johann Friedrich Petring. He accompanied his mother to the United States aboard the Marianne, which departed Bremen, Germany, and arrived at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, on July 20, 1844 (Baltimore Immigration Lists, 1820-72). Their destination was Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a resident at Waterloo, Illinois, when he enlisted as a private for 3 years on September 16, 1861. He was mustered into Company H, 49th Illinois Infantry, at Camp Butler, Illinois, on October 23. He was later promoted to sergeant. Sergeant Dustman (Duschmann) re-enlisted on January 15, 1864. He was mustered out at Paducah, Kentucky, on September 9, 1865. After the war he settled at St. Louis, Missouri, where he resided at 2504 Broadway (1867 St. Louis City Directory). He became a U.S. citizen at St. Louis on September 30, 1868. He married the widow, Mrs. H. (Mary) Gerder (born 1848, Hanover, Germany) of Elk Grove, Illinois, about 1871. They had relocated to Sacramento, California, by 1876, where Fred was a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office Department (1880 US Census; 1881 City Directory). He registered to vote at Sacramento on December 15, 1881 (1881 Sacramento Great Register). He served as Commander of Sumner Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, in 1881 (Sacramento Daily Union, Vol. 12, No. 93, Dec. 8, 1880; 3:1); and he was a charter member of Warren Post, No. 54, G. A. R. (Sacramento Daily Union, Vol. 17, No. 117, July 9, 1883; 3:1). Despondent over a failed investment he had made using the funds of his Improved Order of Red Men lodge, he committed suicide at his residence, 728 M Street. Frederick Dustman was buried by his Grand Army comrades in the G. A. R. plot. A Civil War widow's pension was not found.

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IN MEMORIAM.

HEADQUARTERS WARREN POST, NO. 54, G. A. R.

Whereas, It having been the will of an All-wise God to remove from our midst our late Comrade, FRED. P. DUSTMAN;

Resolved, That in the death of Fred. P. Dustman this Post has sustained a great loss, and its Comrades have had removed from their midst a Comrade who was beloved by them all for his warmth of heart and brilliancy of intellect;

Resolved, That this Post recognizes the material aid rendered to its infancy by Comrade Dustman, who was ever willing to devote his time and lend his aid where it would tend to further the interests of the Post;

Resolved, That this Post sincerely sympathizes with the family and relations of Comrade Dustman in their bereavement, and deeply regret that God in his infinite wisdom should have seen fit to take from this world and call to himself a man of such great promise and possessing so many fine traits of character;

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this Post, a copy sent to the family of deceased Comrade and the Press for publication.

COMRADE [J. E. D.] BALDWIN, COMRADE McLEMORE, COMRADE [H. P.] WINCHELL of the Committee.

[Elmer] C. JORDAN, Commander. C. N. McLemore, Adjutant.

(Sacramento Daily Union, Vol. 53, No. 97, June 15, 1885; 2:7)

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COMMITTED SUICIDE.

Last Saturday morning a little daughter of Fred Dustman, one of the mail-carriers, on going to her father's room at his residence, 728 M street, found him dead. She ran to a neighbor's for assistance, and on investigation it was discovered that death was caused by a bullet wound in the right temple, a small pistol lying nearby being the weapon with which the injury was inflicted. A note was found in which Mr. Dustman stated that he took his life because of financial difficulties. It was understood, however, that he has for many weeks been greatly worried because of his being connected as one of the Trustees of Red Jacket Tribe, Improved O. R. M. [Order of Red men], in the investment of $1,800 of the Tribe's money in the purchase from J. A. Gibson of a piece property, which, probably, is not worth half that amount. It is said that he explained the matter satisfactorily to the Tribe— or rather showed that his action was merely an error of judgment— and his fellow members showed their confidence in him by again electing him as one of the officers of the organization. Nevertheless the matter caused him a great deal of uneasiness, more especially since it was taken to Court and the case came up for trial. Mr. Dustman was a native of Germany, about 44 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children. Mrs. Dustman was absent from the city when the suicide occurred, having gone to San Francisco on Friday, returning yesterday afternoon. Deceased was a gentleman much esteemed by all with whom he came in contact, and in his business was so efficient and obliging that he will be greatly missed on his delivery route. He was a member of Confidence Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Sacramento Lodge, A. O. U. W.; Red Jacket Tribe, Improved O. R. M.; the Grand Army of the Republic; Sacramento Council, Chosen Friends; and Court Capitol, Ancient Order of Foresters. It is said that insurance on his life in these societies aggregate $5,000 or $6,OOO. Coroner Clark will hold an inquest to-day.

(Sacramento Daily Union, Vol. 53, No. 61, May 4, 1885; 3:1)

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Children:

• (step) Emoni GERDER (1863, IL-
• (step) Alli GERDER (1865, IL-
• (step) Ettie GERDER (1869, IL-
• Stella Amelia "Emily" "Millie" (Aug. 1872, MO-
• Agnes (1874, MO-